helios300

Apocalypse, Survival, Crafting, Superpowers

Ethan Cross never expected to wake up in the middle of the apocalypse—let alone with a power straight out of a video game. Stranded in a ruined Nevada city overrun by undead and monstrous mutants, he quickly discovers his unique ability: Duplication. Any non-living object he touches can be copied, but with a catch—the duplicates degrade over time unless reinforced. Armed with this power and his Dimensional Storage, Ethan begins his fight for survival, crafting weapons, fortifying shelter, and outsmarting both the undead and desperate survivors.

But he’s not alone. His first and only companion is Ash, a small, sentient tree with the ability to detect danger, purify the air, and grow stronger by consuming organic matter. As Ethan scavenges, fights, and builds, Ash evolves, proving to be more than just a plant—it’s a powerful force against the horrors of the apocalypse.

From escaping a high-rise deathtrap to constructing a fortified haven, Ethan faces relentless threats: undead swarms, ruthless human factions, and grotesque mutated beasts. But the deeper he digs, the clearer the truth becomes—this plague wasn’t an accident. And the key to ending it lies within a hidden research facility, now a nest for nightmares.

With the world collapsing and an even greater force stirring in the shadows, Ethan must make a choice: continue as a lone wolf or forge a new civilization from the ruins. But survival isn’t just about weapons and walls—it’s about trust. And in a world where everything rots, even alliances can decay.

As the apocalypse enters its next stage, one thing is certain—Ethan will not be a pawn in someone else’s endgame.

Duplicator’s Apocalypse

**Chapter 3 - Descent Into Chaos** 3,380 word count

Ethan moved cautiously down the stairwell, gripping his knife tightly. Each step felt heavier, the weight of the unknown pressing down on him. Ash, securely nestled in his backpack, pulsed faintly every few seconds, almost like a heartbeat. It was strangely comforting.

He had a living weapon, an ally in this madness. But he still needed to get out of this high-rise deathtrap.

The next few floors were eerily quiet, the emergency lighting flickering like dying stars. Ethan's grip tightened on the railing as he stepped over shattered glass and torn carpeting. Signs of struggle were everywhere—discarded bags, dried blood splatters, and the occasional skeletal remains of those who hadn't been lucky enough to escape.

He wasn't sure how long this world had been like this, but the decay suggested months, maybe even years.

A sudden growl from below made him freeze. He crouched low, listening carefully. There was movement—multiple sets of footsteps scraping against the concrete.

Ethan exhaled slowly. Fighting one had been risky enough. Facing a group? He wasn't sure if he was ready for that. His fingers brushed against his knife, but then he remembered his ability.

He focused on the weapon in his hand. A tingling sensation crawled up his arm, and in the blink of an eye, a second knife materialized in his other hand. Identical in every way.

"That's going to come in handy," he muttered to himself.

He continued downward, pressing against the wall as he reached the next landing. Peering through the gap in the stairwell, he spotted them—three zombies, their bodies twitching unnaturally, their glowing eyes scanning the darkness.

Ethan's mind raced. He couldn't take them all head-on. He needed a plan.

His eyes darted to the environment. A fire extinguisher sat mounted on the wall just ahead of the undead. An idea formed.

Slowly, he pulled out one of his knives and duplicated it again, leaving him with three. Taking careful aim, he hurled one at the extinguisher.

With a loud hiss, a cloud of white foam exploded outward, engulfing the zombies in a blinding mist. They shrieked, their movements disoriented.

Ethan didn't waste a second. He rushed forward, blades in both hands. The first zombie turned toward him, but he drove his knife straight through its temple before it could react. The second swiped blindly, and he ducked under its attack, slicing its throat open with a fluid motion. It gurgled before collapsing.

The last one stumbled toward him, clawing at the air. Ethan kicked it backward, sending it tumbling down the stairs. The sickening crunch that followed told him it wouldn't be getting back up.

Panting, he wiped his forehead. "Alright. I can handle this."

His bag rustled again. Ethan pulled out Ash, who had grown slightly, its leaves more vibrant, its roots shifting eagerly.

"Guess you enjoyed that, huh?" he said, watching as the roots extended toward the fresh corpses.

The feeding began instantly. The bodies shriveled, their remaining energy transferring into Ash. The sapling trembled, its form thickening ever so slightly.

Ethan smirked. "Good. You're going to need to be strong for what's coming."

With renewed confidence, he pressed on. The streets of the ruined city awaited him, and whatever horrors lurked beyond this building, he was ready to face them.